McDonald's Gives Managers A Chance To Earn College Credit On The Job

McDonald's Canada has added a new work benefit for its manager-level employees. A job at the Canadian branch of the fast food giant can now help workers get a diploma.

CTV News reported that managers who complete some of the fast food chain's training can bypass the first two years of a business or business administration diploma at any of Ontario's 24 public colleges. The deal is believed to be a "triple win" since it benefits the corporation, higher education institutions as well as the employees/students.

Alan C. Middleton, the executive director of the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University's school of business, commented that McDonald's initiatives may bring change in how Canadians will upgrade their skills in order to stay competitive in the workforce. "I see it as a win-win if it turns around the long decline in not spending the time or money upgrading the skills of our people," he said.

"McDonald's and its independent franchisees are committed to providing opportunities for people to learn life skills that will set them up for success - skills such as leadership, communications, hospitality and profit management," Sharon Ramalho, chief people officer at McDonald's Canada, said in a news release, via Benefits Canada.

"We're so pleased to work with the colleges on this new program that not only recognizes the quality of McDonald's training, but also empowers employees to apply the skills they've learned to reach their career and academic goals."

Employees who are able to finish two courses at one of McDonald's training institutes can qualify for advanced placement. There are other variables such as job experience, readings and workbook activities as well.

Ramalho added that workers in other provinces can join since some colleges in Ontario offer online studies. This makes the higher education proposal available for about 12,000 managers.

This is not the first in the country as McDonald's and the British Columbia Institute of Technology have been partners since 2014 and have a similar set-up. It was revealed that about 120 of the fast food chain's managers are enrolled in the program.